Cordless electric iron and current-supplying means therefor

ABSTRACT

A cordless electric iron has one or two sets of terminals which engage terminals in a base when the iron is deposited on the base in a single predetermined position (e.g., in a position in which the sole plate is substantially horizontal) or in one of two predetermined positions (in one of which the sole plate is horizontal and in the other of which the sole plate is vertical). The iron and the base carry the component parts of a safety device which automatically disconnects the terminals of the base from the source of electrical energy and/or which completely conceals or retracts the terminals of the base and/or the terminals of the iron in response to movement of the iron from its predetermined position on the base. This insures that the touching of terminals in the base when the iron is in use and while the base is connected with the energy source cannot cause harm to a careless operator or to another person who accidentally touches the terminals of the base. The safety device can employ a permanent magnet in the iron and a normally open switch provided in the base in such position that it is closed by the magnet and thereby connects the base terminals with the energy source only when the iron is supported by the base in a predetermined position of rest. Also, the safety device can employ one or more relays which are energized to connect the base terminals with the energy source in response to establishment of an electrical connection between two auxiliary terminals in the base which are connected to each other by the sole plate of the iron when the latter is properly deposited on the base.



1. A combination of the character indicated, comprising a cordless electric iron member having an electric heating unit and at least one set of first terminals in circuit with said heating unit; a support member for said iron member, said support member having second terminals connectable with a source of electrical energy and engaged by said first terminals to supply energy to said heating unit in at least one predetermined position of rest of said iron member on said support member, said second terminals and the first terminals which engage said second terminals in said predetermined position of said iron member being inaccessible in such predetermined position of said iron member; and a safety device arranged to prevent access to and/or to disconnect said second terminals from the source of electrical energy in response to movement of said iron member away from said predetermined position, said safety device comprising auxiliary terminals provided in said support member and means for establishing an electrical connection between said second terminals and the source of energy in response to establishment of an electrical connection between said auxiliary terminals by a portion of said iron member in said predetermined position of the iron member.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said safety device further comprises means for establishing between said auxiliary terminals a potential difference which is substantialLy less than that between said second terminals when said second terminals are connected with the source of energy.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for establishing an electrical connection between said second terminals and the source of energy comprises at least one relay which is energized in response to establishment of said electrical connection between said auxiliary terminals.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for establishing between said auxiliary terminals said potential difference comprises a transformer having a primary winding connected with the energy source and a secondary winding connected with said auxiliary terminals.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said source is a source of a-c current and said safety device further comprises rectifier means connected between said secondary winding and said auxiliary terminals to supply to said auxiliary terminals d-c current.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the primary winding of said transformer is connected in parallel with said second terminals.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for establishing an electrical connection between said second terminals and the source of energy comprises relay means having normally open contact means connected between said second terminals and the source of energy, said relay means being energizable to close said contact means and to thus connect said second terminals with the source of energy in response to establishment of said electrical connection between said auxiliary terminals.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said relay means comprises several discrete contact means each in series with a different second terminal.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said relay means comprises several discrete relays, one for each of said second terminals and each having contact means in series with the respective secondary terminal.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said potential difference between said auxiliary terminals is in the range of 24 volts.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said support member has a flange defining a space for deposition of said iron member in said predetermined position.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said support member has a substantially trapeziform horizontal cross-sectional outline and tapers from the lower toward the upper part thereof.
 13. A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said support member has a detachable bottom wall.
 14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said safety device comprises a plurality of components including transformer means and relay means mounted on said bottom wall. 